Writing (Photo credit: jjpacres)

Putting the pen to paper, AKA free form writing

I’ve been itching to do this for so long.  I can longhand write anytime, anywhere. Yet I still feel the need to type out the words for them to count as writing. I remind myself  longhand writing does count. In fact it feels more creative. Raw. Uncensored. It’s amazing what junkyard thoughts and brilliant nuggets of words show up on the page.

Putting the pen to paper is like meditating. Words flow out. My creative genius presents itself and the writing emerges. Is free form, writing a waste of time? I don’t think so. In fact, I’ve decided to include it with my daily writings. It limbers my brain–like a warm up before the event.

I dug out my morning pages. I took Julia Cameron’s  The Artist’s Way journey almost three years ago.

I wrote my morning pages religiously for over six months. The scrawled writings surprised me. I read angry paragraphs, pity parties, and jealous stories (which I didn’t realize at the time of writing).  I also read inspiring words, heartfelt memoirs, and rib tickling anecdotes.

Here’s to Putting Pen to Paper!

How do you connect with your creative genius?

I’m looking forward to my regular writing schedule again. Keep sending those blogs : )!

Janet

I’m almost finished with the craziness. My fingertips are itching to type non-stop. I miss blogging and reading everyone’s blogs. I miss writing about the main characters in my novel, Stevie and Adam and their surrounding events. 

Outside of Writing Realm: I’ve almost completed earning my Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Designation.  I’ll be the Evaluations Toastmaster on May 19th at the District 52 Spring Conference in Glendale, CA; I’m wrapping up my final responsibilities as Club President at Toastmasters 4 Writers in Burbank CA,  and Division E Governor in Downtown LA, District 52.

Life is about change–expected and not expected. I am truly grateful for all the changes taking place in my life.  I agree with my fellow Toastmaster colleague, Ricky Powell–the Happiness Guy–about being grateful. Gratitude opens many doors; it takes the weight of stress off your shoulders and opens your heart. Ricky writes down three things he’s grateful for everyday. It’s a wonderful exercise. I also use the “Magic Rock” exercise as my anchor. I hold it in my hand and think about something that I’m really grateful for the day–every day. Tonight, I held the rock and gave thanks for ending of my Toastmasters responsibilities and my job. Then I gave thanks for the  new opportunities that await me.

My last day of work is on June 29th. I am no longer sad that my job is coming to an end. I’m focusing on getting a new job–a career–something that is challenging and fun. I’m also finishing up the first draft of my novel.  Rewrites are on the horizon.

I’m joining a writers group; or possibly a salon. I’ll keep writing, blogging and job hunting and enjoy the wonders of life.

What are you grateful for? What changes await you?

I wanted to let you know that I haven’t disappeared and am not overlooking your blog posts. They inspire me to keep on writing .  I promise I will be more interactive as soon as I wrap up my barrage of events.

Looking forward to reading your motivating and creative blog posts.

Sincerely,

Janet

I’ve missed a couple of novel-writing days last week. I made an honest effort not to beat myself up. Looking at my writing from a positive perspective, I’ve given several speeches in the last few weeks–I’ve been writing speeches just about everyday. Then I gently reminded myself that writing is like exercising.

Credit-sampson-annoited-tech-resources.com

If you stop exercising, your muscles will atrophy–degenerate. Something similar takes place in writing: When you start missing your sessions, your creativity becomes stifled. Your muses vanish.  That said, I need to pick up where I left off to continue my adventure in writing my novel, Intrigue. 

Credit: didyouwearthat.com

How do you keep on top of your writing when life happens?

While I enjoy my labor of love and do make time to write–I sometimes feel like I’m being pulled in many directions. I tell myself, You will write no matter what. Just write!

I want to create with people who are in the same boat as me: busy writers who are writing their first novels and want to successfully complete this task.  I do not intend to write short stories right now–I can and have done this.  Completing the novel for me is like finishing a marathon–I will get to the finish line. But it would fun and inspiring to arrive at this destiny with other first time novelists.

I have a question for you.  How does a super busy person (like myself) go about finding a supportive like-minded writers group? So that she can keep on top of completing her novel–complete the process from writing, to editing, to publishing it.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Janet

Five Reflections, where you can read well crafted and descriptive haikus and short stories. See http://fivereflections.wordpress.com/

On Being a Teenage Writer. Mac is a genius. I love reading his blog and getting his perspective on things from a teen’s perspective. See http://onbeingateenagewriter.wordpress.com/

JenniferEaton.com Jennifer knows her stuff. I appreciate her tips and honesty. See http://jennifermeaton.com/

I like  reading a quick 30 Minute Fiction:  I appreciate Nick Roylnd’s blog. Here you can add your fictional works and interact with other writers. See http://30minfiction.wordpress.com/

Brian’s blog called  “An Inked Life” shares original and unique short stories and his experiences as a writer, a father and husband. Sorry, I believe Brian’s starting up a new website–Brian please advise your new website.

If you are ready to Nail Your Novel,  then be sure to read British extraordnaire Roz Morris’ blog.  She’s a novelist and ghostwriter–and provides lots of useful writing advice. See http://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/

Be sure to check out Abominations. Novelist Marc Schuster’s writings resonate with me. I can’t wait to read The Grievers–coming out May 2012. See http://marcschuster.wordpress.com

All of you rock and inspire me to keep on writing. Thanks again Kirsten from A Scenic Route and Write A Book With Me. Go to: http://ascenicroute.wordpress.com and http://wabwm.com

Hopefully these will work. Happy Blogging.

 She dared,

to practice her religion.

In America,

the country of Freedom.

Lovingly,

wrapped in the

representative cloak.

Peace and Obedience to Allah.

Crisp white cotton pure

Veiled protection from harm.

Outside she ventured

integrating amongst

Her fellow Americans.

Suddenly, the white cloth

stripped from her head.

And pride.

Wrenched in the racist’s hands

“Go home Arab terrorist!”

Symbol of Purity,

spat and squashed in the gutter.

Like a mangled cockroach lying in filth.

Hateful eyes surround her,

No help offered.

Only stares and silent cheers.

The veil transformed,

Now a dirty rag.

Held it to her chest;

asked Allah to help her understand.

Muslim girl discriminated,

Because she dared

to practice her religion,

Islam

in America;

Her country of freedom.

Blogger extraordinaire, Ms. Kirsten from A Scenic Route and Write A Book With Me keeps up with all the latest trends, and has noticed my little blog and given me an opportunity to play along with the Lucky 7 Meme. The rules of this game are:

-Go to page 77 of your manuscript, count down seven lines or seven sentences. Then, post these on your blog.

So, here it is, exactly what I found when I opened to page 77:

I sighed. “Yussef, you flirt with women. Yet you get mad at Michelle if another man even looks at her. That’s the double standard.”

 Silence.

“Let’s not argue about this,” Yussef  cleared his throat. “Stevie, why don’t we lunch together and mourn over our losses.”

Now I was the silent one.

“What do you say?”

“Well Yussef, I’m busy with work and my Islam 101 class.”

 “There’s an Islam 101 class? Where?”

-Tag 7 other authors, and let them know they’re it!

In addition to regularly reading Kirsten’s blogs, I also enjoy keeping up with:

Five Reflections, where you can read well crafted and descriptive haikus and short stories.

On Being a Teenage Writer. Mac is a genius. I love reading his blog and getting his perspective on things from a teen’s perspective.

JenniferEaton.com Jennifer knows her stuff. I appreciate her tips and honesty.

I like  reading a quick 30 Minute Fiction:  I appreciate Nick Roylnd’s blog. Here you can add your fictional works and interact with other writers.

Brian’s blog called  “An Inked Life” shares original and unique short stories and his experiences as a writer, a father and husband.

If you are ready to Nail Your Novel,  then be sure to read British extraordnaire Roz Morris’ blog.  She’s a novelist and ghostwriter–and provides lots of useful writing advice.

Be sure to check out Abominations. Novelist Marc Schuster’s writings resonate with me. I can’t wait to read The Grievers–coming out May 2012.

All of you rock and inspire me to keep on writing. Thanks again Kirsten from A Scenic Route and Write A Book With Me.

Janet–It’s Never Too Late To Write.

PS. If you like my blog,  please Like Me on my FaceBook page.

Abdellah glanced at his daughter. “Meriem, I’d wish you wouldn’t wear that scarf.” His Egyptian accent flavored his words.

She rolled her eyes. “Dad, how many times do we have to have this conversation?”

Abdellah parked a half a block away from the main entrance. “Meriem, do you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

“Dad. I can handle this. Really.”

The fifteen-year-old girl with springy black hair and earthy brown eyes decided it was time to stand up for her religion—and herself.

Less than a week ago, she went public with her faith. Meriem began wearing the hijab, a head covering that orthodox Muslim women wear. She knew that wearing it would be controversial in her town. Unfortunately, the closest mosque and Muslim community was 25 miles away from home.

“Meriem”, Abdellah pleaded. “Please, it’s not too late. You can remove it now. Before you get out of the car.”

Meriem shook her head.

Abdellah drove up to the drop off area at the main entrance.

Meriem’s scalp itched from sweat, but chose to ignore it. She gathered her backpack then kissed her dad on the cheek. “See you later Dad.”

He started to release the door lock but she beat him to it. Abdellah reached for Meriem’s wrist to stop her. “Habiba, please be careful.”

“I will.”

***

She made her way into the main hallway with no problem. She received several furtive looks, shocked faces and a few chilling stares.

Meriem felt someone breathing on her covered neck.

A male adolescent voice roared, “Terrorist Alert! That girl wearing the table cloth is armed!”

Meriem felt a sharp tug on her backpack jerking her downwards.

“Hand over that backpack,” said Rob McPherson. His large knuckled hand rammed into her back .

Everyone in the hallway turned to check out the scuffle.

“Leave me alone!” Meriem shouted.

She tried to pull herself away, but Rob McPherson’s strength was no match for Meriem’s.

He released his grip from the backpack. Meriem plummeted to the floor.

Rob looked around caressing his shaved head. “Look you religious freak. Give me your backpack and nobody’s going to get hurt.”

She picked herself up, clutching on to her backpack. “You stop harassing me or I’ll . . .”

His upper lip curled. “Or you’ll what? Turn me in? You can’t do anything to me. My dad’s a cop.” He slithered his pierced tongue across his lips. “That scarf’s causing you brain damage.”

Meriem crossed her arms. “Leave me alone, or I’ll report you.”

Seconds too late, a stout man scratching his flaky red-gray scalp waddled to the scene. In a gruff voice, the school principal said, “Okay. What’s all the commotion here?” He dug his hands into his sweater pockets.

Meriem looked at Mr. Leaferton.

Mr. Leaferton did a double take at Meriem.

“He called me a terrorist,” said Meriem pointing at Rob.

“I did not. I said, ‘Terrorist Alert!’” Rob faced Mr. Leaferton. He fingered a couple of piercings by his eyebrow. “Look Mr. Leaferton, with all this terrorism going on, you can’t be too careful. I was only trying to protect the student body.”

“That’s a lie,” said Meriem. “He was harassing me. He grabbed my backpack and tried to make me give it to him.”

Rob put his nose close to her face and growled, “I didn’t try to make you do anything.”

Mr. Leaferton sandwiched his way between Rob and Meriem. “Okay. Okay. Both of you. Stop arguing.” He looked around. Most of the kids were still there.

The Principal grumbled, “Everyone go to class. Now.”

When the hallway emptied, Mr. Leaferton said, “Miss Lahrichi. Mr. McPherson. I don’t want to have any problems from either one of you. If you can’t respect each other’s differences, then you’ll need ignore each other. Is that clear?”

Both Meriem and Rob acknolwedged Mr. Leafterton’s request.

Mr. Leafterton continued. “As of today, you two are on my watch list.”